Artificial tree

• US 7,445,823 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2006
• Issued: 11/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lora L. Tennison
• Original Assignee: Lora L. Tennison
• Inventors: Tennison, Lora L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Austin; Aaron
• Application Number:
  US11/503,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20080038490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 428/18, 428/19, 428/20, 362/122, 362/123, 362/567, 362/568, 362/806
• US Class Current: 428/20
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/06 Artificial Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

An artificial tree according to the present invention includes a tubular trunk with a stand for holding the trunk in an upright position. The artificial tree includes a plurality of branches coupled to the tree, each branch having a hook at an end displaced from the trunk. Each branch presents a length with branches at lower trunk levels having longer lengths than more upwardly positioned branches. The branches may be removably coupled to the trunk and storable within a trunk interior space. The artificial tree may also include ornamentation such as garland or lights and may include an audio device that plays sound in predetermined conditions.

Claims

1. An artificial tree, comprising:

a tubular elongate trunk;

a plurality of branches, each branch having opposed first and second ends, each said second end having a hook and being positionable away from said trunk when said opposed first end is adjacent said trunk;

means for supporting said trunk in an upright position;

wherein;

said trunk presents an upper end and a lower end;

said trunk defines a plurality of openings between said trunk upper and lower ends;

each branch first end has an extension complementary to a respective trunk opening for selectively coupling said branch first end to said trunk;

each said trunk opening includes a primary opening and a flange opening;

each said extension includes a primary member, a flange having a diameter that is larger than a diameter of said primary member, and a plate having a diameter that is larger than said primary member diameter, said plate being spaced apart from said flange to define a receiving area therebetween;

each said primary member is receivable in a respective primary opening;

each said flange is receivable in a respective flange opening; and

each said extension is rotatable when its primary member is received in a respective primary opening and its flange is received in a respective flange opening to sandwich said trunk between said flange and said plate of said extension, whereby coupling said extension to said trunk.

2. The artificial tree of claim 1, wherein:

said trunk presents an upper end and a lower end;

each said branch has a branch length; and

said branch length increases with relative placement of said respective first ends along said trunk, whereby branches with greater branch lengths are closer to said trunk lower end than are branches with lesser branch lengths.

3. The artificial tree of claim 1, wherein:

said trunk presents an upper end and a lower end;

each said branch has a branch length; and

every branch having a respective first end relatively closer to said trunk lower end has a branch length that is at least as long as every other branch having a respective first end relatively closer to said trunk upper end.

4. The artificial tree of claim 1, wherein said trunk defines an interior cavity having a diameter sufficient to house said branches when said first ends of said branches are not coupled to said trunk.

5. The artificial tree of claim 4, wherein:

said trunk interior cavity extends to said trunk upper end;

a cap is selectively coupled to said trunk at said trunk upper end to selectively restrict access to said trunk interior cavity; and

a decorative element extends upwardly from said cap.

6. The artificial tree of claim 1, wherein:

said trunk presents an upper end and a lower end;

each said branch first end is hingedly coupled to said trunk between said trunk upper and lower ends so that the respective branch second end can rotate from a first position to a second position; and

said second ends are relatively closer to said trunk upper end when at said second position than when at said first position.

7. The artificial tree of claim 6, further comprising a storage case for housing said trunk and said branches when said branch second ends are at said second position.

8. The artificial tree of claim 1, wherein each said branch has a branch length substantially equal to a branch length of every other said branch.

9. The artificial tree of claim 1, further comprising ornamentation supported by a plurality of said hooks at said second ends of said branches so that said ornamentation encircles said trunk.

10. The artificial tree of claim 9, wherein said ornamentation is selected from the group consisting of a garland and a lighting device.

11. The artificial tree of claim 1, further comprising an audio device in communication with a switch and a power source for selectively providing sound when said switch is activated.

12. The artificial tree of claim 1, further comprising an audio device in communication with a sensor, a processor, and a power source for selectively providing sound when said sensor detects a predetermined condition.

13. The artificial tree of claim 1, wherein said means for supporting said trunk in an upright position includes a stand presenting a diameter that is larger than a diameter of said trunk.

14. An artificial tree, comprising:

an elongate trunk presenting an upper end and a lower end;

a plurality of branches, each branch having opposed first and second ends, each said second end having a hook and being positionable away from said trunk when said opposed first end is adjacent said trunk;

a stand adjacent said trunk lower end to support said trunk in an upright position;

wherein;

said trunk defines a plurality of openings between said trunk upper and lower ends;

each branch first end has an extension complementary to a respective trunk opening for selectively coupling said branch first end to said trunk;

each said trunk opening includes a primary opening and a flange opening;

each said extension includes a primary member, a flange having a diameter that is larger than diameter of said primary member, and a plate having a diameter that is larger than said primary member diameter, said plate being spaced apart from said flange to define a receiving area therebetween;

each said primary member is receivable in a respective primary opening;

each said flange is receivable in a respective flange opening;

each said extension is rotatable when its primary member is received in a respective primary opening and its flange is received in a respective flange opening to sandwich said trunk between said flange and said plate of said extension, whereby coupling said extension to said trunk; and

said trunk defines an interior cavity having a diameter sufficient to house said branches when said first ends of said branches are not coupled to said trunk.

15. The artificial tree of claim 14, further comprising:

ornamentation to be supported by a plurality of said hooks at said second ends of said brunches so that said ornamentation encircles said trunk when said branches are coupled to said trunk; and

an audio device in communication with a power source and means for actuating said audio device for selectively providing sound.

16. The artificial tree of claim 14, wherein:

each said branch first end is hingedly coupled to said trunk between said trunk upper and lower ends so that the respective branch second end can rotate from a first position to a second position; and

said second ends are relatively closer to said trunk upper end when at said second position than when at said first position.

17. The artificial tree of claim 16, further comprising:

ornamentation to be supported by a plurality of said hooks at said second ends of said branches so that said ornamentation encircles said trunk when said second ends of said branches are at said first position; and

an audio device in communication with a power source and means for actuating said audio device for selectively providing sound.